Latest news with #Finocchiaro
Perth Now
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Youth crime crackdown promises 'no more free passes'
There will be "no more free passes" for serious youth offenders with those caught more likely to be locked up, under one jurisdiction's crackdown. The Northern Territory's chief minister expanded the list of serious offences ineligible for youth diversion under new measures announced in Alice Springs on Friday. Lia Finocchiaro said an additional 13 offences would be added, meaning offenders who commit them will no longer get the benefit from Labor's previous catch and release scheme. "No more free passes for serious youth offenders," she told reporters. Ms Finocchiaro said repeat offenders had been able to avoid any real consequences and were able to reoffend "days or even hours later". "We are taking strong action to break the cycle of youth crime and restore community safety," she added. "The days of police being a taxi service are over." Crime, and the perception the government was unable to control it, formed the main plank of her party's campaign to oust Labor. Growing crime rates and anti-social behaviour have been major issues in various Territory communities for some time but they drew national attention last year following a series of wild brawls in Alice Springs. The violence prompted multiple city lock downs and curfews. Tougher bail laws, targeting mainly youth offenders, were also introduced earlier this year. While delivering its first budget last month, the Country Liberal Party pledged a record $1.34 billion spend on police, corrections and justice. But the government has been criticised by the Labor opposition and justice reform groups for taking a punitive approach to crime rather than tackling its root causes. Social worker and former Northern Territory Australian of the Year Blair McFarland said the changes would not make any difference. "It's a really minor tweak in the legislation and it's not going to do anything to actually address the social problems that are creating all the crime," he told ABC News. "It doesn't address the chronic poverty that people live in and it doesn't give kids a future. "These are the kids who grew up with the state smashing Aboriginal legal systems to the best of their ability, and they grew up in a lawless sort of space and they get to an age where they realise that their life is going to be grinding poverty, chronic illness and early death and they have got nothing to lose." Under the latest changes, offences including serious harm offending, hit and runs, driving stolen vehicles, assaults on frontline workers and break-ins will no longer be eligible for youth diversion and will have a default position of proceeding to charge. "We're giving police the tools they need as we continue to roll out reforms aimed at reducing crime." Ms Finocchiaro said.
The Advertiser
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Public pepper spray trial triggers stinging backlash
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray will be introduced in a crime-hit territory, but opponents have issued stinging rebukes. The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job". The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety". Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions. The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said. "We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement. Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police. Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray. "This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said. Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government. "They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday. The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said. She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial. The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk. "It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said. "Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it." Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal. Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release. A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray will be introduced in a crime-hit territory, but opponents have issued stinging rebukes. The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job". The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety". Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions. The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said. "We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement. Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police. Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray. "This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said. Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government. "They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday. The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said. She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial. The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk. "It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said. "Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it." Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal. Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release. A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray will be introduced in a crime-hit territory, but opponents have issued stinging rebukes. The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job". The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety". Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions. The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said. "We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement. Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police. Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray. "This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said. Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government. "They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday. The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said. She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial. The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk. "It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said. "Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it." Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal. Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release. A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray will be introduced in a crime-hit territory, but opponents have issued stinging rebukes. The Northern Territory initiative has been called an "admission of failure", as citizens are being asked to protect themselves because "the government cannot do the job". The territory will become only the second jurisdiction in Australia to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety". Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial would start in September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions. The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety, she said. "We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement. Her government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police. Consultation to determine the pepper spray trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. Western Australia is the only jurisdictions in Australia which allows residents to carry pepper spray. "This is about giving territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said. Opposition Leader Selina Uibo said the initiative was an "admission of failure" by Ms Finocchiaro and her government. "They are now telling territorians to defend themselves because the government cannot do the job," she told reporters on Wednesday. The government should invest more in policing if it was serious about community safety "rather than handing out pepper spray and telling territorians to hope for the best", Ms Uibo said. She said broad consultation and regulations would be needed to ensure there were no unintended consequences of the trial. The Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory said allowing the public sale of pepper spray would do nothing to improve community safety and instead put more lives at risk. "It is incredibly misleading to suggest that equipping the community with a weapon is any kind of solution to community safety," CEO John Paterson said. "Weaponising people and allowing wider access to a harmful substance like OC spray won't fix violence - it will fuel it." Dr Paterson said the decision was especially dangerous for vulnerable people, including those sleeping rough, who were disproportionately targeted and criminalised, many of them Aboriginal. Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release.
West Australian
11-06-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
NT government to allow public to use pepper spray in self defence
The Northern Territory government is set to increase its safety measures by allowing the public use of pepper spray for self defence in a 12-month trial. The 12-month trial will allow the public to carry low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum spray, better known as pepper spray, for self defence reasons and under strict legal conditions. The NT has faced law and order issues over recent times, raising concerns within the community over safety and crime. The Finocchiaro CLP government has passed a number of reforms since winning last year's election, including stricter bail laws and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. 'This initiative responds directly to community calls for more safety options and reflects the government's commitment to restoring the Territory lifestyle,' Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said. The spray is made with a nonlethal substance that an cause a painful and burning sensation, and temporarily impair vision, allowing the victims to escape, but it is not as powerful as sprays handled by police. Pepper spray is currently classified as a 'prohibited weapon' in the NT. Ms Finocchiaro said the trial would give residents 'more choice when it comes to personal safety'. 'We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed,' she said. Pepper spray will be available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1, 2025, and will only be eligible under strict conditions A person must be over 18 to purchase the pepper spray, show valid NT photo ID and have no relevant serious criminal history or domestic violence orders. They must also be purchased in person from a licensed NT dealer. The specifics of the trial will be determined alongside the NT Police, key stakeholders, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. A 'community oversight reference group' will also be established to oversee how the trial is run. She said she believed the trial would be well-received by the NT community, based on the reaction from a similar trial in Western Australia. Western Australia is currently the only state or territory to allow people to carry the nonlethal spray, under strict conditions. 'We've seen Western Australia undertake a similar trial, and it's provided valuable insights into how a controlled, lawful model can give people greater peace of mind without compromising public safety,' Ms Finocchiaro said. 'This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control. 'It's a practical step that balances personal responsibility with community safety, and we'll be watching the outcomes closely through reporting and evaluation.'
Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
NT's drastic move in law and order crisis
The Northern Territory government is set to increase its safety measures by allowing the public use of pepper spray for self defence in a 12-month trial. The 12-month trial will allow the public to carry low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum spray, better known as pepper spray, for self defence reasons and under strict legal conditions. The Northern Territory will introduce a 12-month trial into personal pepper spray use. Credit: Supplied The NT has faced law and order issues over recent times, raising concerns within the community over safety and crime. The Finocchiaro CLP government has passed a number of reforms since winning last year's election, including stricter bail laws and lowering the age of criminal responsibility. 'This initiative responds directly to community calls for more safety options and reflects the government's commitment to restoring the Territory lifestyle,' Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said. The spray is made with a nonlethal substance that an cause a painful and burning sensation, and temporarily impair vision, allowing the victims to escape, but it is not as powerful as sprays handled by police. Pepper spray is currently classified as a 'prohibited weapon' in the NT. Ms Finocchiaro said the trial would give residents 'more choice when it comes to personal safety'. 'We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed,' she said. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the move would give residents 'lawful tools' for self defence. NewsWire / David Beach Credit: News Corp Australia Pepper spray will be available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1, 2025, and will only be eligible under strict conditions A person must be over 18 to purchase the pepper spray, show valid NT photo ID and have no relevant serious criminal history or domestic violence orders. They must also be purchased in person from a licensed NT dealer. The specifics of the trial will be determined alongside the NT Police, key stakeholders, industry bodies, licensees and the broader community. A 'community oversight reference group' will also be established to oversee how the trial is run. The nonlethal spray is not as powerful as ones used by police. Supplied Credit: Supplied She said she believed the trial would be well-received by the NT community, based on the reaction from a similar trial in Western Australia. Western Australia is currently the only state or territory to allow people to carry the nonlethal spray, under strict conditions. 'We've seen Western Australia undertake a similar trial, and it's provided valuable insights into how a controlled, lawful model can give people greater peace of mind without compromising public safety,' Ms Finocchiaro said. 'This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control. 'It's a practical step that balances personal responsibility with community safety, and we'll be watching the outcomes closely through reporting and evaluation.'
West Australian
11-06-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Landmark pepper spray trial in crime-hit community
A landmark trial allowing the public sale of pepper spray for self defence is set to be introduced by a crime-troubled territory. The Northern Territory is set to become only the second jurisdiction in the country to allow residents to carry pepper spray, giving people "more choice when it comes to personal safety". Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said a 12-month trial was set to launch from September, allowing approved members of the public to carry a low-percentage Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray under strict legal conditions. The move was part of the NT government's justice reforms that focus on reducing crime and restoring community safety and security, she said. "We're strengthening the frontline with more police, stronger laws and better prevention, but we also believe individuals should have lawful tools to protect themselves if needed," Ms Finocchiaro said in a statement. Ms Finocchiaro's government made law and order the cornerstone of its first budget with a record $1.5 billion investment in corrections, courts and police. The NT government also lowered the age of criminal responsibility from 12 to 10 and introduced tougher bail laws. Data shows the NT has an incarceration rate three times greater than anywhere else in Australia and has the highest reoffending rate, with six out of 10 prisoners returning to jail within two years of release. Consultation to determine the trial's specifics will be led by NT Police, industry bodies, licensees, other key stakeholders and the broader community. The initiative would ensure the NT joins Western Australia as the only jurisdictions in Australia allowing residents to carry pepper spray. "This is about giving Territorians more choice when it comes to personal safety," the chief minister said. "This is about equipping Territorians with more options, not less control." Approved OC spray is set to be made available for purchase from licensed dealers across the NT from September 1. The NT proposal comes as a class action trial in Victoria winds up involving climate protester Jordan Brown challenging the police's use of pepper spray against him during a mining protest. His lawyers have told the Supreme Court that Victoria Police's use of the spray on him at a 2019 protest outside the International Mining and Resources Conference in Melbourne was violent and excessive. But lawyers for Victoria Police claim the use of force was lawful, as protesters were impeding officers from making an arrest. Closing submissions before Judge Claire Harris are being heard on Wednesday and Thursday.
